# Learning to be stupid

> How teaching myself software made me feel stupid but built a business.
- Title: Learning to be stupid · Wvez | Shortify
- Summary: How teaching myself software made me feel stupid but built a business. After starting with n8n automation, the author built business workflows that landed…
- Keywords: n8n, workflow automation, slack, telegram, ebay, api, json, cme trading, seattle, nfl, technology, startups
- Source: Wvez — https://wvez.org/blog/learning-to-be-stupid
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: n8n, workflow automation, slack, telegram, ebay, api, json, cme trading, seattle, nfl, technology, startups
## Feeling stupid often
I graduated from Loyola U Chicago in May 2026 with a finance degree but felt my career path was already decided.
## Starting with n8n
I began teaching myself n8n workflow automation after hearing it could improve productivity and create passive income opportunities.
## First steps
I opened n8n with a blank canvas and hundreds of random nodes, triggers, and inputs I had no idea how to use.
## The questions
I asked myself what an HTTP node was, if AI agents were all everyone made, and why everything needed an API key.
## Feeling stuck
I felt stupid because I didn’t know basic technical topics that seemed second nature to more experienced users.
## Shut up and try
I replaced my desire to quit with the mindset to just try figuring it out instead of giving up.
## Tutorial limbo
I spent weeks watching videos and reading articles but got stuck in tutorial limbo where I never actually did anything.
## The trap
I actively exposed myself to advanced outcomes that only took months or years of experience to achieve.
## Baby steps
I created a simple workflow that sent Slack notifications when I received email responses about job applications.
## Strides
I built advanced workflows for job prospecting, eBay flipping, dispensary inventory monitoring, and CME trading.
## The results
I learned REST APIs, JSON parsing, reverse-engineering APIs, web scraping, and AI agents with tool calling.
## The incubator
My business ventures powered by agentic coding landed me early-stage acceptance into Chicago’s #1 tech incubator.
## The lesson
Starting small and ignoring the noise helped me build skills I never imagined I had.
## The outcome
The lessons I learned started to spill into my life for the better, leading to business ventures and early-stage incubator acceptance.
## The future
I hope others feel motivated to be content with feeling stupid and start learning new skills.
## Key takeaway

After starting with n8n automation, the author built business workflows that landed them in Chicago's top tech incubator.